Gumtree Scammer

A Johan Botha (although he may be using an innocent persons ID), tried to scam me today by replying to an ad I had put on Gumtree. Also said he works as an engineer on an oil rig and wanted me to set up a Payfast account. Refused to do an EFT as I requested. Said he was buying the goods for his cousin as a surprise. Used the email jbotha212@gmail.com, and cell number 0610117823. Unfortunately I was stupid enough to supply him with my id as he said he needed proof that I wasn't a scammer. I have reported him to Gumtree and put a post on social media. I see that he seems to operate under the names of a Kyle Smith as well. This guy needs to be caught ASAP.

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received the same email this morning when posted two bikes on Gumtree from aAdam Richardon , wanting to buy two bikes I placed on Gumtree. I actually opened the skrill account and then googled him Thank the good Lord I came across this site I immediately shut everything down and sent him a screen shot of this page and have blocked his mails and numver from my phone!!!!!!

Thank goodness for this site! My son was selling his expensive bike and got EXACTLY the same story from this guy ... buying as a surprise for his cousin, wants to use PayFast, agent will collect as soon as he does the payment and even uses the same name - Adam Richardson. He's not even a creative scammer! Very glad I googled his name and found this site.

Experienced the exact same as Willaspd76 after I posted my ad on OLX. Seemed suspicious after I received the mail so I googled and came across these postings. Thanks to everyone for sharing.Can we not get him arrested? Or what options do we have as the public if anyone knows ? Thanks

Just got a WhatsApp message asking me to email him and got this as as a reply : I am really interested in buying this for my cousin as a surprise for him, only if you can assure me that everything is in order, I am a petroleum engineer currently on a rig offshore I really want this to be a surprise for my cousin so I won't let him know anything about this until it gets delivered to him, I am sure he will be more than happy with it. It will be secured paying via Skrill as I'm on a rig offshore. So let me know if you have an account with Skrill so I can make the payment asap. Note well: Pick up agent will come for the pickup as soon as I have made the payment.

Thank you so much for posting this. He literally just emailed me the exact same thing!

"I am really interested in buying this for my cousin as a surprise for him, only if you can assure me that everything is in order, I am a petroleum engineer currently on a rig offshore I really want this to be a surprise for my cousin so I won't let him know anything about this until it gets delivered to him, I am sure he will be more than happy with it. It will be secured paying via Skrill as I'm on a rig offshore. So let me know if you have an account with Skrill so I can make the payment asap. Note well: Pick up agent will come for the pickup as soon as I have made the payment."

It seems as if this guy is also now using the name of Johan Verwey. Not sure if he is the same guy but he is insisting that my son set up a Payfast account (my son also put an advert on Gumtree). Just be aware...

Also was contacted by this man exact same sequence was sent this message "I am interested in buying the cabinet. Kindly get back to me via email at richardsonadam2010@gmail.com waiting to hear from you soon." He claims to be on a rig.

We were contacted by Adam Richardson this morning to buy our yellowwood/embuia table & chairs. He used the exact same wording as with others he tried to scam: "I'm really interested in buying this as a surprise for my cousin but only if you can assure me it's in a good condition. I am a petroleum engineer currently on a rig offshore. I really want this to be a surprise for my cousin so I won't let him know anything about this until it gets delivered to him, I am sure he will be more than happy with it. It will be secured paying via PayFast as I'm on a rig offshore. So let me know if you have an account with Payfast so I can make the payment. Note well: Pickup agent will come for the pickup as soon as I have made the payment." Someone asked whether PayFast has been notified. YES, they know about him. I spoke to PayFast and the guy who helped me asked what his name is & when I mentioned Adam Richardson he said to me RUN, HE IS A SCAMSTER AND WILL CON YOU OUT OF YOUR MONEY...

Also contact by same person with cell number 0610117823 and email richardsonadam2010@gmail.com. Want to buy bike that I advertised on OLX. Also on oil rig and want to buy bike for his cousin. I told him it a girls bike...so then he changed story that it for cousins kids. Want me to open account on Skrill....never heard of that.

Hi. Thanks for posting all the info. Exact same guy, Adam Richardson, sent WhatsApp message and used email Richardsonadam2010@gmail.com after I placed an ad on OLX. Also wanted me to register with Payfast. Thanks for all the warnings.

Hey there. Thank God for the post as I received an email a few minutes ago from an Adam Richardson that is copy and pasted as shown in previous comments about my dining room suite. Also an 061 number on whatsapp.

I have been contacted by n Adam Richardson in response to a gumtree ad I placed.The exact sequence of events happened. I however began to smell a rat when he asked me to pay the 'agent' at shoprite checkers money market but could not give me details of who this agent was. I have informed Skrill of him using their company as a platform to help scam people.

Hi ive been scamed by that same guy but he goes by the name as adam richardson .... I was stupid enough to send money ... And needed more money in order for him "payfast" to release the money !!!! He goes by that same number as well ....So cross with myself !!

He must be living in the Eastern Cape as we are all Eastern Cape people that are targetted...Maybe we should sell him something and then trace the courier company that collects the parcel and find him at his house.

I'm really interested in buying this as a surprise for my cousin but only if you can assure me it's in a good condition. I am a petroleum engineer currently on a rig offshore. I really want this to be a surprise for my cousin so I won't let him know anything about this until it gets delivered to him, I am sure he will be more than happy with it. It will be secured paying via PayFast as I'm on a rig offshore. So let me know if you have an account with Payfast so I can make the payment. Note well: Pickup agent will come for the pickup as soon as I have made the payment.

I'm really interested in buying this as a surprise for my cousin but only if you can assure me it's in a good condition. I am a petroleum engineer currently on a rig offshore. I really want this to be a surprise for my cousin so I won't let him know anything about this until it gets delivered to him, I am sure he will be more than happy with it. It will be secured paying via PayFast as I'm on a rig offshore. So let me know if you have an account with Payfast so I can make the payment. Note well: Pickup agent will come for the pickup as soon as I have made the payment.

This fkn guy just tried to scam me too. Goes by the name of adam richardson and says he works offshore and can only use payfast. Something just told me to check if there was something dodgy and found your story on a google search. Thank goodness this confirms my fears that he's a fraudster. He also used an 061 number to whatsapp me and asked to move to email instead. Thing is, is how does he scam people on payfast? Has payfast been notified? Do i report to gumtree too?

I have just had the same guy respond to an ad of mine for a mountain bike. when i replied back to him informing him i'm not dealing with anyone outside of PE and its cash only he replied with WHY. This is not the first time i've had some moron try their luck! He used the name Adam Richardson. Seems he asks sellers for their IDs to check they arent scammers! what a cheek. ends up using your ID as his.